Greater New Orleans

Public warnings sought for inspection-tag checkpoints

Legislation
requiring police to give public warning before setting up checkpoints
to stop drivers for violations of the motor vehicle inspection tag laws
is halfway to approval in the Louisiana Legislature. Lawmakers last week voted 63-26 for House Bill 173
by Rep. Marcus Hunter, D-Monroe, that would require police agencies to
alert the public before they set up the checkpoints for inspection
stickers.

The bill is now awaiting action in the Senate Committee
on Transportation, Highways and Public Works. Hunter said his bill
would expand the law that now requires advance notice be given when
checkpoints are established for proof of auto insurance, seat-belt
compliance and driving while intoxicated.

The bill requires that
police use local radio, newspapers and television to spread the word
about the checkpoints. Police say they give the time when the
checkpoints are established, about how long they will be up and the
general area where the checkpoints will be.

Existing law also
requires that police set out flares, signs and other warnings of the
impending stop and have an area set aside to briefly detain motorists
who are pulled over without backing up traffic.